Even Craig couldn't criticise! Natalie Gumede's sizzling salsa takes her joint top of the leaderboard alongside Abbey Clancy in Strictly Come Dancing semi-final
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After being told she was in jeopardy last week, Natalie Gumede certainly came back fighting as she took on the Salsa with partner Artem Chigvintsev on Saturday.
From the moment Michael Jackson's Wanna Be Starting Something started up, the 29-year-old was full of energy as she lit up the floor in a sexy, fringed dress for the first performance in the Strictly Come Dancing semi-final.
With a routine that included floor spins and twirls aplenty, the actress went straight to the top of the leaderboard, where she was joined by Abbey Clancy, ahead of the final next week after achieving straight ten's.
A sea of silver: Natalie Gumede came back fighting as she took on the Salsa with partner Artem Chigvintsev on Saturday
Len Goodman, who said it was one of the 'tightest' semi-finals ever, was eager to complement the star before Bruno Tonioli told her she had a 'wonderful sense of tease and flirtation'.
Hard-to-please Craig Revel Horwood said that he was upset as he couldn't find much wrong with the impressive routine.
Bringing intimacy to her Argentine Tango, Natalie said was her biggest challenge, but the pair looked intense while decked out in red for their second dance of the night.
Bruno said it was incredible and her precision was commendable, while Len said she 'sizzled'. They scored an impressive 78 points overall.
Straight to the top! Natalie topped the leaderboard with four tens for her first performance
Red and intense: Natalie was told her routine 'sizzled', however her first routine was the top scorer
After feeling 'extremely nervous' last week, Abbey said she felt as though her hard work was paying off as she took on the Samba with Aljaz Skorjanec this weekend, before topping the leaderboard.
Despite feeling less than confident about the dance, the pair lit up the floor as they performed to George Michael's Faith€™.
The energetic number was praised by Len, who said there were so many wonderful touches and that the 27-year-old was a natural.
Craig said she was 'amazing' after coping well with the rhythm changes, and the couple were given 39 points - just one point less than Natalie.
Amazing: Abbey Clancy said she felt as though her hard work was paying off as she took on the Samba with Aljaz Skorjanec this weekend
She was the first celebrity to score a perfect 40, which she was hoping to do again as she danced the American Smooth to Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline.
With a school prom theme, Abbey looked stunning as she danced in a backless pink dress after being spun around in her floaty dress as the pair completed the routine with a hug.
Full of charisma and so watchable was Craig's opinion, while Len finished off by saying: 'Ill see you next week in the final.' She was given 39 points.
Prom night: The pair's American Smooth put them back in the running ahead of next week's final
After topping the leaderboard with a raunchy Rumba last week, Patrick Robinson proved a graceful partner for Anya Garnis as they Waltzed to Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers.
The 50-year-old, and last man standing in the competition, was controlled as he spun the brunette on the floor, before achieving straight nines from the judges.
Bruno picked up on a couple of footwork issues but said it was nice overall, while Craig said it was 'gorgeous' and the flow was magnificent.
It was the Paso Doble to Patti Smith Group's Because the Night for Patrick's second dance, which was criticised for lack of Spanish feel by Craig, who said it exposed his weaknesses.
Len said the whole dance was full of energy and Bruno said he had great power and determination, but that he lacked precision. The scores were mixed, but he was given 33, achieving 69 overall.
Gorgeous: Patrick Robinson proved a graceful partner for Anya Garnis as they Waltzed to Unchained Melody
Weaknesses: It was the Paso Doble for Patrick's second dance, which was criticised for a lack of Spanish feel
After being daunted at the prospect of learning two dances in one week, Sophie Ellis-Bextor started her Paso Doble with Brendan Cole from a seated position in the centre of the dancefloor.
The dramatic routine to Prokofiev's Montagues and Capulets™ earned a standing ovation from the audience, and a score of 35.
The 34-year-old was criticised as being 'starchy and stiff' by Craig, but said the attitude she brought was 'something else'.
Len said he was concerned beforehand, but said he had been wowed by her attack during the sequence.
Attack: Sophie Ellis-Bextor started her Paso Doble with Brendan Cole from a seated position in the centre of the dancefloor
After impressing with her ballroom dances in the past, Sophie took on the American Smooth to Lisa Stansfield's They Can't Take That Away From Me.
Looking elegant in silver, the singer looked confident as she extended her arms while her hair was tied up in a chic up do.
Darcey said the dance was hers, and Len added that he loved the feel of the dance, which started at the top of the stairs. They were given 36 points from the judges.
Smooth: The pair received a positive response for their second routine which started at the top of the stairs
After being bottom of the leaderboard last week, Susanna Reid threw her all into her Foxtrot with a bespectacled Kevin Clifton, to Frankie Valli's Can't Take My Eyes Off You.™
The fun routine started with the pair sat on a park bench, while the BBC presenter wowed in a backless navy dress complete with sparkly sleeve.
Len said it was terrific, and Bruno said she was at her charming best, and full of life, particularly when dealing with the change of pace as she scored 38.
He said he would be devastated if she didn't make it through to the finals, before the pair, decked out in bright pink, enthusiastically took on the Salsa to Junior Senior's Move Your Feet.
After finishing off upside down with her leg in their air, Len said it got a tad messy while Bruno said she didn't finish properly despite all her energy going into it, but all said they she'd looked like she had enjoyed it.
The judges gave her straight eights for her second routine.
The Strictly Come Dancing results show airs at 7pm on BBC1 on Sunday.
Can't take my eyes off you! Susanna Reid was praised for her 'terrific' Foxtrot with Kevin Clifton
Straight eights: Susanna was told her energy was unrivaled but that her technique had suffered
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2523750/Natalie-Gumedes-sizzling-salsa-takes-joint-leaderboard-alongside-Abbey-Clancy-Strictly-Come-Dancing-semi-final.html#ixzz2nUnC9KAk
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